Cowdray Park man (73), rapes 13-year-old neighbour, threatens to kill her

A 73-YEAR-OLD man from Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of raping his 13-year-old neighbour.

The offender, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor, appeared in court on Thursday before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Ms Patience Ururu, facing a rape charge.

The magistrate found him guilty and handed down a 15-year jail term.

In delivering the sentence, Ms Ururu condemned the man’s actions, stressing that crimes of this nature are grave and leave lasting scars on victims.

“You violated the trust the victim had in you and preyed on a vulnerable child. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated. The sentence will send a clear message to would-be offenders,” she said.

In aggravation, Prosecutor Ms Concilia Ncube told the court that the age difference between the offender and the victim was huge and therefore aggravating.

“The offender’s actions show that he was heartless as he took advantage of the minor, knowing fully that she is very young, and raped her.

“He threatened to kill her if ever she revealed the ordeal to anyone. The courts have a mandate to protect minors from sexual predators,” said Ms Ncube.

“Furthermore, cases of elderly men sexually attacking minors are now rampant in society. The ordeal will haunt the minor, and as such the State prays for a custodial sentence of 15 years to send a clear message to would-be offenders,” she submitted.

Ms Ncube told the court that last month, on 16 May, the victim arrived at the offender’s home shortly 2PM in Cowdray Park suburb to play with her friends. Unfortunately, they were not at home.

“Her friends had gone to town with their mother. The offender called the minor to his bedroom and carried out the sickening ordeal. After that, he threatened to kill her if ever she revealed the ordeal to anyone,” she said. “However, the minor summoned courage and told her mother. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused,” the court heard.